We believe that verse-by-verse exposition of the text provides the most robust foundation for the Christian. In Acts 20:26-27, Paul says “Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” Expository preaching hopefully helps the church to have to tackle difficult or controversial passages in the Scriptures. Additionally the Scriptures state that “All Scripture is God breathed and is profitable…that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim 3:16-17) This means that God has promised blessings in every word and page of Scripture.
We believe that preaching includes both instruction and exhortation. Christians should hear the text be explained in its historical and literary context. Also, the Christian should also be exhorted to obey and apply the Scriptures in his or her life.
We do not believe that topical preaching is unbiblical, but we recognize the potential danger of consistent topical preaching. It can create situations when certain topics become talked about at a disproportionate rate or certain topics are not talked about at all. It can also cause situations where the Bible passage is taken out of its context. However topical preaching can help to explain systematic theology or look at larger themes within the Scriptures. Therefore, there are times when we engage in topical sermons.
SPIRITUAL GIFTS
We believe in the continuation of all of the spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12:4-10).
We do not believe in what is commonly considered an “open but cautious” attitude towards the gifts of the Spirit. In general, this approach is held by Christians who are functional cessationists. We believe that the Scriptures command us to eagerly seek the spiritual gifts (1 Cor 14:1). Although we should test everything (1 Thess 5:21,1 John 4:1), ultimately we recognize that all of God’s gifts are good and for the edification of the church.
We believe in being “open but cautious” to the practices and teachings within the Charismatic Movement. The Charismatic Movement is wide and varied, constituting a large number of churches and believers from diverse theological viewpoints and practices. However, a large number of aberrant, heretical, and dangerous teachings and practices have come out of the Charismatic Movement including but not limited to Word of Faith teaching, The Prosperity Gospel, The New Apostolic Reformation, The “little gods” doctrine, Oneness Pentecostalism, and others. Some of the most prominent and influential leaders of the Charismatic Movement embrace these teachings and practices and should be marked and avoided (Rom 16:17). We recognize that some of these teachings exist as gradations within the Charismatic Movement and therefore must be carefully weighed in accordance to the Scripture. However, we want to extend the hand of fellowship to all brothers and sisters in Christ and seek to love the entirety of the Body of Christ.
We do not believe that belief in the gift of prophecy contradicts the commitment to Sola-Scriptura or the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture. We do not believe that prophecy contains “new revelation” from God and Christians who claim to have a “new revelation” from God should be treated with extreme caution. We believe that Scriptures provide all the necessary revelation to fully equip the saints (2 Tim 3:17). The way that these two doctrines come together can be seen in Acts 11:28. Agabus predicts a famine to come and the Christians decide to help the brothers and sisters in Judea. The Scriptures already taught that Christians should love and take care of one another. The function of prophecy from Agabus was not to give new revelation or teaching, but instead to provide predictive power and direction towards the teachings in the Scriptures.